Republished: Manual reduction of a radial artery loop under direct fluoroscopic visualization

Abstract

Transradial access has become increasingly used in neurointerventions because it reduces access site complications. However, radial artery anomalies can be difficult to navigate, often necessitating conversion to femoral access. We describe the case of a female patient in her early 70 s who underwent preoperative embolization of a carotid body tumor via right transradial access. Her radial angiogram demonstrated the presence of a radial artery loop which was successfully navigated with a triaxial system but would not spontaneously reduce even after the guide catheter was advanced into the subclavian artery. However, manual manipulation of the catheters in the antecubital fossa under direct fluoroscopic visualization reduced the loop allowing the procedure to continue transradially. Although a majority of radial loops can be traversed and reduced using standard techniques, this case demonstrates that manual reduction can be successful when other measures fail. We recommend attempting this method before converting the access site.